Jamison Hensley Thinks The Ravens Will Sign Ed Reed

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Thursday, February 07, 2013
Jay C. Cottrell and ESPN.com

How is the rest of the AFC North shaping up, Jamison Hensley gives us the details Download This File

Some think Ed Reed is going to the Patriots to join Bill Belichick, a coach that he's long admired. Others predict Reed will go to the Colts because of Chuck Pagano, his former defensive coordinator in Baltimore and the coach who recruited him to play college football at Miami. And there has been speculation of Reed going back to play in his hometown of New Orleans.

But Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome doesn't think you can rule out Reed's return to Baltimore.

"I think he realizes there may be some other options out there, but I think if you watched him, if you watched his body language over the course of the last eight to 10 days that he loves being here in Baltimore," Newsome said Thursday. "And I think we can use that to help make that relationship last a little bit longer."

If Reed is coming back to the Ravens, it's going to be on a long-term deal. Newsome indicated that the team won't put the franchise tag on Reed.

Newsome said he hasn't had any official conversations with Reed, who still doesn't have an agent. Ravens officials have previously said they would give Reed a couple of weeks before approaching him.

Reed is one of many question marks on the Ravens' defense. Ray Lewis is retired, and the other inside linebacker Dannelle Ellerbe is a free agent. Newsome also talked about upgrading at defensive tackle.

"So we would say the middle of the defense is probably the one area that we will concentrate on," Newsome said.